How is Ma excise tax calculated?
Andrew Mclaughlin
Published Feb 13, 2026
The excise due is calculated by multiplying the value of the vehicle by the motor vehicle tax rate. The tax rate is fixed at $25 per one thousand dollars of value. The value of a vehicle is determined as a percentage of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for that vehicle based on the year of manufacture.
How do they calculate excise tax in MA?
If you own or lease a vehicle in Massachusetts, you will pay an excise tax each year. The excise rate is calculated by multiplying the value of the vehicle by the motor vehicle tax rate. The tax rate is $25 for every $1,000 of your vehicle’s value.
How often do you pay excise tax in MA?
Excise tax bills are due annually for every vehicle owned and registered in Massachusetts. Excise tax bills are prepared by the Registry of Motor Vehicles and billed by the local community where the vehicle is garaged. The minimum excise tax bill is $5. The excise tax rate is $25 per $1,000 of assessed value.
What is excise tax used for in MA?
Like a property tax, which pays for services in the city or town in which the property is located, revenue from the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax is used by Massachusetts municipalities to provide public services.
Do you have to pay excise tax on a vehicle in Massachusetts?
If you own a registered motor vehicle or trailer, you have to pay a tax, called a motor vehicle and trailer excise, each year. When you get your motor vehicle excise bill, you will also get instructions on how to pay it. Every motor vehicle and trailer registered in Massachusetts is subject to the motor vehicle excise unless exempted.
When do you need to register a car in Massachusetts?
To learn more visit, 830 CMR 64H.25.1: Motor Vehicles. Every buyer who is required to register or title the vehicle in Massachusetts, must file Form RMV-1, Application for Title and Registration within 10 days of buying, transferring, or using the vehicle within Massachusetts and pay any applicable tax to the RMV.
How does the registry of motor vehicles prepare an excise bill?
The Registry of Motor Vehicles prepares data for excise bills according to the information on the motor vehicle registration and sends it to city or town assessors. Cities and towns then prepare bills based on excise data sent by the Registry in conformity with Department of Revenue requirements.
How do I pay the excise tax on my car?
You have three options to pay your motor vehicle excise tax: Get your bill in the mail. Residents who own motor vehicles have to pay taxes based on the value of their vehicles each year. You pay an excise instead of a personal property tax. If your vehicle isn’t registered, you’ll have to pay personal property taxes on it.